Chicago Uber Accident Lawyers
In the last few years, ride-share companies like Uber or Lyft, have exploded across the country. According to the Chicago Tribune, the number of registered vehicles for companies like Uber quadrupled from 2014 to 2017.
Ride-shares involve drivers who are paid for transporting passengers in the driver’s own car at a reduced rate.
The Chicago Uber accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are committed to holding rideshare companies accountable when their drivers' negligence results in an accident with injuries to passengers or other motorists.
If you or a family member were injured in a car accident involving an Uber vehicle, we encourage you to contact our office for a free review of your legal options for recovery.
Why Uber Accident Cases are Different than Other Chicago Car Accidents
If you are injured in an accident involving an Uber vehicle, it is important to know that your case is different from other types of car accidents involving private individuals.
When an Uber driver injures his passengers or other motorists, you will not only have a claim against the driver but also Uber itself.
As the employer of people driving vehicles controlled by technologies operated by Uber, the company is liable to pay for resulting injuries.
This can be a positive factor in recovering the full value of an injury case as there are liability policies in place that are typically more substantial (at least $1 million in coverage per person) than those with a private driver’s insurance coverage.
Our rideshare accident lawyers can provide you legal advice on how to move your compensation case along involving an Uber or Lyft driver.
Uber Growth in Chicago, IL
While it grosses over $3 billion today, it started with more humble origins. Founded in 2009 in San Francisco, the creators aimed to provide a lower-cost alternative to cabs and other private driving services. They did this through a number of mechanisms, including passenger pooling.
Now, they have blossomed into one of the biggest companies on earth with operations in multiple countries. They offer multiple products including peer ride-sharing, ride-hailing, and food service delivery among others. By establishing an app on peoples’ smartphones and controlling every aspect of a ride.
Uber has also entered the realm of Chicago personal injury law when people get injured or killed with its vehicles.
- Globally, almost 100 million people use the app on a monthly basis.
- Uber generates almost $15 billion each quarter.
- There are almost 15 million Uber trips each day.
- Nearly eighty percent of the time in Chicago, riders travel by themselves as opposed to using the pool feature.
- Most trips in Chicago cost riders between $5 and $10.
- The most popular areas in Chicago for Uber trips included Old Town, Gold Coast, River North, and Streeterville (these had roughly 3 million pick-ups and drop-offs from November 2018 to April 2019).
- The Loop had roughly 1.5 million pick-ups and drop-offs in that same time period.
- The United Center area, Fulton Market, and Illinois Medical District (Near West Side) also had about 1.5 million pick-ups and drop-offs in that same time period.
- There are tens of thousands of Uber drivers in the Chicagoland area with 4 million Uber drivers globally.
- Almost 75% of Uber drivers are male.
Chicago Rideshare Accident Injury Law FAQs
Below are some questions raised by current and former clients who were injured in a rideshare car accident (Uber Lyft).
Of course should you have further questions, we invite you to contact our Uber accident lawyers in Chicago for a free consultation.Safety Risks Faced by Uber Passengers and Other Motorists
The Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are committed to providing legal representation for Uber passengers and other motorists injured in collisions with rideshare service vehicles.
Examples of potential personal injury cases against rideshare companies would involve:
- Uber and Lyft passengers injured or killed in accidents caused by the negligence of rideshare drivers and other motorists
- Passengers injured when then enter or exit the vehicle
- Distracted driving
- Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists injured in collisions with an Uber driver.
- Sexual assault of a passenger by the Uber driver
- Uber drivers injured in collisions caused by other drivers
Compensation Available to People Injured in Uber Accidents
The specific types of damages you might recover in an Uber accident is the same as any type of car accident in Chicago, IL. After proving causation, you can seek monetary damages for economic and non-economic damages related to your injuries.
Economic damages for your case might include:
- Medical expenses for bodily injury
- Medical bills for past and future medical treatment
- Physical therapy
- Lost income
- Disability accommodations
- Medical devices
- Car rental fees
- Property damage
Non-economic damages for your case can include
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of full life
- Disfigurement
In the case of a fatality involving an Uber vehicle, the family may pursue a claim for wrongful death to recover the loss of economic and emotional support.
For more information on damages available in Chicago Uber accident claims and lawsuits, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC for a free case review.
Why You Want Experienced Lawyer for Your Chicago Uber Accident
Uber and ride-share accident claims are complicated, involving multiple insurance companies and often claims against multiple parties.
While insurance companies are very willing to negotiate with accident victims, they will typically offer lower amounts or try to get you to settle for a lump sum before you know the full extent of your medical bills or other damages.
Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, you should consult an experienced Uber accident attorney who can investigate the accident and evaluate your case and ensure you recover the full value for your case.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help maximize the value of your case. Our rideshare attorneys are well-versed in negotiating with insurance companies for settlements involving rideshare accidents with Uber and Lyft.
We can also negotiate reduced medical liens with your personal insurance to ensure you get the full payout from your case.
We offer every person injured in an Uber Lyft accident a free consultation with a skilled trial lawyer who can address all questions you have about your case and the applicable law.
Sample Personal Injury Lawsuits Involving Uber Accidents
Yes, below are some examples of lawsuits people in the Chicagoland area have filed against Uber to recover compensation for personal injury and wrongful death.
FAMILY SUES UBER AFTER 8-CAR CRASH OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO. (Cook County, Circuit Court)
This lawsuit was filed in November 2018. The plaintiffs sued in Cook County, Illinois. They targeted Uber and a delivery company. The incident occurred on an exit off of I-90. A mother and her daughter hailed a car via Uber. As it went to their destination, a trucker rear-ended them. They sustained multiple personal injuries.
Both needed to be transported to local hospitals. However, doctors deemed their injuries as non-critical. Nevertheless, they have brought suit against the rideshare driver, Uber, and the delivery company. The family claims that both acted negligently and are responsible for the injuries of the mother and child.
Specifically, the plaintiffs cite the defendant-driver with a failure to control their speeds, keep a proper lookout, and avoid the incident. For damages, they claim compensation for their medical, legal, and other losses.
CHICAGO LAW FIRM BRINGS SUIT AGAINST UBER AFTER THE DEATH OF THEIR SON. (Cook County Circuit Court)
In June of 2018, an Uber driver shot Hyum Kim. Kim died from his injuries. His family argued that this was the last thing he could have expected as he hopped into the vehicle.
He merely wanted to reach his destination using the ride-hailing mobile app. Uber has policies against the carrying and use of firearms by its drivers. However, the family maintains that the rideshare company did not enforce those policies.
They claim it was grossly negligent. If they are successful in this argument, they will be able to sue the company for the intentional acts of the driver. This means the plaintiffs will be able to get wrongful death damages including lost support and companionship, suffering, and expenses among other things.
SEVEN PLAINTIFFS JOIN CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST UBER.
Reports emerge from a recent filing of more abuse, harassment, and kidnapping by Uber drivers. Seven women joined an ongoing class-action lawsuit against the company.
They each claim various physical, emotional, and emotional harms. These stem from the conduct of the drivers. The suit targets the company itself because, in the plaintiffs’ view, it failed to maintain a system to protect riders.
They either knew of the danger certain drivers posed or recklessly ignored it. They allege the company failed to perform sufficient background checks for its drivers.
Lawyers maintain the goal of this case is to get justice for those men and women harassed and assaulted. Also, they want to stop Uber from forcing victims to arbitrate the matter rather than going through the court system.
LOGAN SQUARE WOMAN SUES AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT.
This sexual assault case was recently filed in Cook County, Illinois. It kicked off after a woman requested an Uber from the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. She wanted to go home to her apartment in Logan Square.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as she planned. The driver groped her, demanded her phone number, and then would not let her leave until she consented to other demands. The woman complained of anguish, pain, and other physical and mental injuries.
Her Chicago lawsuit contends that both the driver and the company are responsible. She seeks compensation from both parties.
PARENTS SUE UBER AFTER FATAL SPRINGFIELD, IL MOTORCYCLE CRASH.
This recent rideshare accident lawsuit was filed in Sangamon County, Illinois. It began after an Uber driver crashed into a motorcycle. Both the driver and passenger of the bike died.
The parents for the passenger sued the rideshare driver, Uber and the motorcyclist. The complaint suggested the motorcyclist was speeding. Also, it complained that the Uber driver was distracted by Uber’s mobile app on his phone.
In this way, they were able to target the company itself. The case is for wrongful death. That means the plaintiffs believe the defendants wrongfully caused the death of their loved one.
Further, they think the defendants should pay for the costs, expenses, suffering, and pain that came from that death. In total, they ask for more than $50,000 for these damages.
If you have questions or are ready to talk with a lawyer about a Chicago Uber Accident, call anytime for a free case analysis.
Contact Our Chicago Uber Accident Lawyers Today
The experienced Chicago Uber and Lyft accident injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have handled thousands of complex car accident cases and can help you determine your best course of action.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your claim. If we can’t help you, you don’t owe us anything. We don’t take a fee until we recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact our law firm today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or through the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
All discussions with our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys remain confidential through an attorney-client relationship.
If you or a loved one was the victim of a sexual assault in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, view our informational page here.